THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, AUGUST 9, 2024 Page 3 ~The Advocate Asks~ Retired Saugus resident Rick Fail loves his e-bike, but says it poses a public safety problem on the town’s rail trail, especially for kids who shouldn’t be riding them Editor’s Note: For this week’s column, we sat down with Rick Fail, the proud owner of an e-bike that he’s owned for two years and enjoys riding around town, particularly on the Northern Strand Community Trail (also called the “rail trail”). But the 66-year-old Saugus resident wants the public and town officials to know that besides the many benefits that this electric-powered bike offers, it does have some negative aspects and does pose potential risks to pedestrians and other cyclists on the rail trail or around town. Saugus Police Chief Michael Ricciardelli corroborated Fail’s safety concerns in a recent interview with The Saugus Advocate. “Some of them can go close to 30 miles per hour and the biggest problem with them is you can’t hear an e-bike until it’s right on top of you,” the chief said. Fail has been outspoken about the benefits as well as the risks involved with owning an e-bike. He is also an advocate for bike safety in general as it relates to Saugus residents who enjoy using the rail trail. As an e-bike owner and a frequent rider on the town’s rail trail, he requested to be interviewed by The Saugus Advocate to share his concerns about the e-bike and what he’s observed during the two years he’s been riding his bike, particularly on the rail trail. Fail, a U.S. Navy veteran, is the operations officer of the Saugus Veterans Council. The Tyler, Texas, native served for eight years in the Navy, the last ple having to rely on wheelchairs and scooters. It would get people out there doing exercise instead. Q: What are some of your concerns? A: I am concerned about kids, who may get their parASKS | SEE PAGE 15 Eastern Bank Building on Rte. 1S 605 Broadway, #301 * Saugus (781) 233-6844 www.bostonnorthdental.com Rick Fail has become an advocate for public safety on the rail trail. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) four in New London, Conn. Following his discharge in 1986, he moved to Saugus with his wife, Connie, a Malden native. The couple has been married for 42 years. They have three grown-up children and two grandchildren. Highlights of this week’s interview follow. Q: How long have you owned your e-bike? A: About two years. The development of the rail trail in town was a great incentive for me to get a bike. It’s great for exercise, and there are a lot of benefits for peoAluminum Everett 10 Everett Ave., Everett 617-389-3839 “Same name, phone number & address for over half a century. We must be doing something right!” •Vinyl Siding •Carpentry Work •Decks •Free Estimates •Fully Licensed •Roofing • Fully Insured • Replacement Windows www.everettaluminum.com Now’s the time to schedule those home improvement projects you’ve been dreaming about all winter! Everett Aluminum ple who own an e-bike. There are probably seven households in my neighborhood [Bay View Road in Precinct 2] that have e-bikes. And they’re becoming more popular. Q: What are some of the benefits? A: There are definitely health benefits, especially for seniors. And I’d like to see Medicare cover e-bikes for seniors. Medicare pays for wheelchairs. They pay for scooters. If they paid for e-bikes, maybe more seniors would be riding e-bikes. It would definitely slow down the process of some peoDr. Priti Amlani Dr. Bhavisha Patel * Restorative Dentistry * Cosmetic Dentistry * Implant Restoration * Zoom Whitening * Teeth in a Day - All on 6 * Invisalign * CEREC Crowns (Single Visit Crowns) * Root Canal Treatment * Sedation Dentistry ~ Full Mouth Rehabilitation ~ Before After Celebrating 66 Years in Business! Summer is Here!
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